Zynga Acquires Torchlight 3 Developer Echtra Games

Revealed via Zynga’s Twitter, it was announced that Social Game Developer Zynga has acquired Torchlight 3 Developer, Echtra Games.

We are thrilled to announce that @EchtraGames, the award-winning minds behind the genre-defining Diablo and Torchlight franchises, have joined the Zynga family! https://t.co/nWOKPnor8e pic.twitter.com/HxAZKeNuXY

— Zynga (@zynga) March 3, 2021

In the tweet, Zynga says they are “thrilled” that Echtra Games “have joined the Zynga family!”. Zynga’s Tweet provides a link to the official announcement post on business wire which gives some more details about the plans for the company going forth.

In the post, it is said that Echtra Games will strengthen “Zynga’s cross-platform play future adding talented developers with extensive cross-platform play experience.” As well as giving the Echtra team “proprietary cross-platform tools and technologies.”

The company will also be developing a “yet to announced RPG for cross-platform play in partnership with Zynga’s NaturalMotion studio.”

The Future of Echtra Games

Zynga CEO Frank Gibeau had this to say regarding the acquisition:

Max and his team at Echtra Games are responsible for some of the most legendary game properties every created, and they are experts in the action RPG genre and cross-platform development. I’m excited to welcome the Echtra Games team into the Zynga family.”

Echtra CEO Max Schaefer also had some comments on the acquisition:

Echtra Games is delighted to be joining the Zynga family. We share Zynga’s vision that cross-platform play is an essential part in the future of RPGs and interactive entertainment and are eager to apply our vast experience and talents to this effort.”

Echtra Games is a fairly young company, founded in 2016 by Max Schaefer who co-created game franchises like Diablo and Torchlight. Their most recent game, Torchlight 3 released to mixed reception back in June last year. It’ll be interesting to see what comes next for the Echtra team as they continue to develop this new unannounced RPG.

It’s exciting to see so many developers head towards a cross-platform future as it’s something that will help the longevity of social games in the future. Anyhow, what do you think? Are you happy with this acquisition news? Let me know down below!